I’m going to take this chance to spout offpontificatepreachdelightwhatever communicate to readers of romance. I love to talk, but since I’m a writer, I’ll write you all a letter. Of advice. With my sincerest expert opinion about reading romance novels.

Dear Reader,

First about me my credentials: I’ve been reading romance novels since I got out of college and discovered trashy popular novels after years of being so tremendously bored with tomes about internal rates of return that I considered becoming an agriculture major because they at least participated in calf-birthing and such intellectual stimulation. I had to rest my fried enormous over-worked brain. I became hopelessly addicted to the point of spending the laundry money on books instantly enthralled by romance novels. So here’s a few pointers on how to maximize your enjoyment of reading romance novels from a writer reader and reader writer:

Pointer #1: Never skip to the end because you know what’s going to happen anyway—of course they live happily ever after because it’s the tense moments of the journey that count the most. You must give the story and characters at least 5 pages a chance to simmer for that slow build to the climax. (I’m talking about READING here).

Pointer #2: NeverAlways Judge a book by it’s cover. Clearly I’m conflictedcertainfull of baloney an expert about this. The cover can tell you a lotnothing at all the basics about what’s inside. But beware the misleadingannoying surprise.

Pointer #3: Always find a closet where the kids can’t find you place to read where you can relax and have five stinking minutes some uninterrupted time to read the juicy parts entire novel in one sitting if possible.

Pointer #4: Always write a fan letter to the author!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Queen

Help me by judging this book by its new cover!

My novel, PLAYING THE GAME, the 2013 International Digital Award winning novel for best contemporary, has a new cover! Judge away and let me know what you think!

The story is about sports and love in the big leagues. Here’s the teaser:

Playing the Game: About more than a ball.

Can a woman bring down a legend by distracting him from his game?

Since her disastrous marriage ended, Roxanne Monet has sworn off serious relationships with men. She has more important things to worry about. She’s broke, lost her job and now she’s being accused of murdering her estranged husband. But when she meets superstar Barry Dennis and he challenges her to a game of seduction, she decides to play ball. When the game turns serious, she unintentionally exposes the legend to be a flawed man.

Barry Dennis picked the wrong woman to play games with when he decides to flirt with the enigmatic Roxanne. Being the best takes all he has. He can’t afford to let anything or

anyone interfere with his first and only priority–Basketball. But as the attraction between them heats up, he finds himself losing sight of his life’s game plan.

While the sports world’s microscope is trained on Barry’s game and the media hounds Roxanne about her husband’s mysterious death, the stakes are ratcheted up even higher when Barry’s young daughter, Lindy is injured. Roxanne gives Lindy the attention she needs while Barry struggles to cope with the demands of his new priorities.

Can Roxanne rely on Barry to do more than play ball? She takes the risk and gives him the last thing she owns–her heart.

Excerpt from PLAYING THE GAME:

“Damn it,” Roxanne muttered. Her drink had splashed on her dress. Looking right, and then left through the dense crowd of partygoers around her, she took a surreptitious glance down to inspect the damage.

A very large, dark, wet spot spread over her left breast. Luckily it was only ice water. Or maybe not so lucky, on second thought. She watched in horror as the red silk material clung to her skin.

“Double damn. My nipple is showing!” This time she forgot to keep her comment under her breath.

“Now that I’d like to see.” The man appeared from nowhere, towering beside her. He watched her reflection in the floor to ceiling window.

Embarrassment flushed her face. The man was no gentleman. Her embarrassment turned to anger in a flash. She jutted her breast out for him to see.

“You can look all you want,” she dared, wanting to shift the discomfort to him.

She thought she’d succeeded, until the signature dimpled half-grin split his face.

“I’m Barry Dennis.” He held out his free hand for her to shake. He held a bottle of beer in the other. The famous lopsided smirk remained in place.

“Must be my lucky night.” She ignored his hand.

He laughed.

Biting her lip, she reminded herself to behave professionally. He was the star attraction at this gala and they were both there to raise money for a good cause.

“I’m Roxanne Monet.” She shook his hand. Eyeing him, she wondered if he’d dare say something about her nipple.

“I know who you are. I watched you get fired from your job at the TV studio a few days ago. You were supposed to interview me.” Unrestrained amusement shone in his eyes now and his grin widened.

She was really starting to dislike this guy.

************************

For more about Stephanie Queen and her books visit her website at www.StephanieQueen.com, follow her on Twitter @StephanieQueen or catch up with her on her Stephanie Queen Facebook page.

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